NAMES & GAMES Armstrong to seek seventh straight Tour win

PARIS  Still hungry to race but wary he is not in the best shape, Lance Armstrong wants to take his Tour de France record to even mightier heights: He will try for a seventh straight title this summer.

Associated Press

Published 12:00 am, Thursday, February 17, 2005

Armstrong had left open the possibility he wouldnt compete this year in cyclings showcase event to pursue other races.

But in an announcement Wednesday on the Web site of his Discovery Channel team, the Tours only six-time winner said he will again commit himself to the race to which hes dedicated his cycling life.

"I am grateful for the opportunity that Discovery Communications has given the team and look forward to achieving my goal of a seventh Tour de France," Armstrong said.

Armstrong has overcome testicular cancer to become one of the most inspirational stories in all sports, and his sixth Tour crown last year sent him past four five-time champions: Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.

Fever re-signs Schumacher

INDIANAPOLIS  Kelly Schumacher, who has played more games than anyone else in the four-year history of the Indiana Fever, re-signed with the WNBA team Wednesday as a free agent.

A reserve most of her career, the 6-foot-4 center moved into the starting lineup late last season and averaged 10.7 points and 4.3 rebounds for the final seven games. Her season averages were career highs of 7 points and 3.3 rebounds a game.

The former Connecticut star, who played in China and Spain during the offseason this year, has appeared in a Fever-record 125 games.

Authority chief: Jets would be welcome partners

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.  The New York Jets, whose plan for a new stadium in Manhattan now has competition, are welcome to be partners in a new stadium that the New York Giants want to build, the chairman of the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority said Wednesday.

"They are welcome to be owners and partners in the new facility," authority Chairman Carl Goldberg told fellow commissioners at their regular monthly meeting.

Both teams now play at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands, and Goldberg said officials are committed to building a new facility "that would welcome the Jets to stay here for the foreseeable future."

Over the last month, the Giants and the authority have moved closer to finalizing a deal on a new $700 million stadium, and negotiations with the Giants resumed after the meeting.

Bills will release QB Bledsoe

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.  Unwilling to accept a secondary role with the Buffalo Bills, quarterback Drew Bledsoe is seeking a new team for another shot at being a starter.

Granting Bledsoes request to be cut, the Bills announced Wednesday they will waive the 12-year veteran Feb. 22, the first day NFL teams are allowed to officially release players. The decision came after the Bills informed him last week of their plans to give the starting job to J.P. Losman, Buffalos second of two first-round draft choices last year.

"I completely disagree and cant understand their point of view," Bledsoe said during a conference call from his home in Oregon. "Do I think this is fair? No, I dont think its fair. But Im also aware that thats how it works, and I understand that."

And its nothing against Losman.

"I just dont see myself being a backup in this league," Bledsoe said. "If it comes to that, youll probably see me just tip my hat and head back to the Northwest."

Rippon, who played at Southern Connecticut State University, coached 12 seasons at Syracuse, and coaches with Orgeron on Paul Pasqualonis staff from 1995-97. Last year, Rippon was the Oranges assistant head coach, special teams coordinator and safeties coach.

Seahawks sign Jones to long-term deal

SEATTLE  The Seattle Seahawks signed All-Pro offensive tackle Walter Jones to a seven-year contract worth more than $50 million, keeping a possible marquee free-agent off the market.

Jones agent, Roosevelt Barnes, would not give specific figures, but said the contract includes a signing bonus of more than $15 million and total bonuses of more than $20 million.

Venus Williams advances

ANTWERP, Belgium  Venus Williams opened her quest to claim a $1.3 million gold-and-diamond trophy with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Virginie Razzano of France, setting up a Diamond Games quarterfinal against Kim Clijsters.

The third-seeded Williams would earn the trophy by becoming the first player to win the tournament three times in a five-year span. She was the champion in 2002 and 2003, then missed last year with a knee injury.